Connaught Place by Robert Tor Russell

Connaught Place by Robert Tor Russell If anyone is asked what is the most attractive place in the capital Delhi, then most people will have the answer to Connaught Place. How many generations of Delhi have come here and have spent countless moments of peace. It is also a shopping center and there are hundreds of offices here. Millions of people reach Connaught Place every day.

But have you ever wondered who designed this iconic space? Probably not! No problem! Let us tell you that its design was designed by Robert Tor Russell (1888–1970).

Connaught Place by Robert Tor Russell

After New Delhi became the capital of the country in 1912, the Europeans thought of creating a great market. Connaught place came out because of that. Its construction started around 1929 and it was completed in 1933. First Edwin Lutyens, the chief architect of New Delhi, entrusted the responsibility of designing Connaught Place to his colleague WH Nicholls but had to return to England for some reason. Then this obligation came on Tor’s shoulders. By then, Tor had established his identity as an architect by designing the three idols (formerly Flag Staff House). Here before 1947, the British armies lived in India. Connaught Place by Robert Tor Russell

Now back to Connaught Place. Where the Connaught Place is now, the entire area was lined with thick trees of kikar. Wild boar and deer roamed here. Today, Connaught Place has been established as a symbol of the advanced city, there were villages till about a hundred years ago. There were villages named Madhoganj, Jaisingpura and Raja’s Bazaar. After 1920, the residents of these villages were removed and became Connaught Place later. Yes, the ancient Hanuman of Delhi used to visit the temple during the day to worship. Connaught Place by Robert Tor Russell

While designing Connaught Place, Tor ensured that the shopkeepers here stayed above their shops. That is why they kept space for flats in the first floor. It is probably the first double story shopping center in the country. A proposal came in front of Tor that the New Delhi railway station be made there, where the Central Park is located. But they did not agree. It is a matter of fact that the big metro station under Central Park opened during the Delhi Metro era. Later on Tor’s advice, New Delhi railway station was built at Paharganj. He believed that it is necessary to have a park in the middle of any market, where people can spend some moments comfortably after shopping. Connaught Place by Robert Tor Russell

Tor divided Connaught Place into the Inner Circle, Middle Circle and Outer Circle. And for those coming, nine routes were given, i.e. 9 roads of the capital respectively, Minto Road, Barakhamba Road, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, Janpath, Parliament Street, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, You can reach inside it via Shaheed Bhagat Singh Marg, Panchkuian Road and Chelmsford Road. Connaught Place is designed by Gregorian style. In this the design is kept symmetrical (same). You may notice that the design of the entire Connaught Place is the same. It is completely white. Due to its grandeur and excellent design, no shopping center still stands in front of Connaught Place. Connaught Place, standing on circular columns, is unique and unique. Here Tor gives ample space for those who move in front of showrooms. You can get inside it via Panchkuian Road and Chelmsford Road. Connaught Place is designed by Gregorian style. The design is kept symmetrical (same). Connaught Place by Robert Tor Russell You may notice that the design of the entire Connaught Place is the same. It is completely white. Due to its grandeur and excellent design, no shopping center still stands in front of Connaught Place. Connaught Place, standing on circular columns, is unique and unique. Here Tor gives ample space for those who move in front of showrooms. You can get inside it via Panchkuian Road and Chelmsford Road. Connaught Place is designed by Gregorian style. The design is kept symmetrical (same). You may notice that the design of the entire Connaught Place is the same. It is completely white. Due to its grandeur and excellent design, no shopping center still stands in front of Connaught Place. Connaught Place, standing on circular columns, is unique and unique. Here Tor gives ample space for those who move in front of showrooms. Connaught Place by Robert Tor Russell

Actually Tor came to New Delhi around 1920. At that time, all the government buildings in New Delhi were being built or planned. He was named in his team by Edwin Lutyens. Tor were geniuses. They worked day and night. He also designed the government flat at Safdarjung Airport, Gol Post Office, Lodhi Road. Very few people know that Tor has 1, 3 , 5 , 7The bungalows of Race Course Road (now Lok Kalyan Marg) were also designed. After becoming the Prime Minister in 1984, Rajiv Gandhi converted all these bungalows one by one into the Prime Minister’s residence. They have since become the permanent residence of the Prime Minister of the country. Tor also designed some private buildings. There is also Pataudi House located in Pataudi. Now-a-days Saif Ali Khan-Kareena Kapoor come to stay in between. Tor also designed buildings such as Western Court and Eastern Court on Janpath. Even after decades of its construction, looking at their buildings, it does not seem that they have become old. Tor loved India very much. He used to go on a holiday in the rural areas of Delhi. See people. Watching their living. Tor’s design buildings still look contemporary.

You must have frequented Connaught Place for shopping or walking. But why don’t you find ‘I’, ‘O’ and ‘J’ blocks here? Where did these three blocks go? Where did Tor lost this block? Have you ever thought In fact, 12 blocks were initially constructed at Connaught Place. In the inner circle, six blocks were made from ‘A’ to ‘F’ in the circle and ‘G’ to ‘N’ blocks were formed in the outer circle. ‘I’, ‘O’ and ‘J’ blocks were not included in these. Why were these blocks not formed? We do not have any official evidence to resolve this issue. The answer to this question is not found in any book. Of course, it would be a matter of fact that these three blocks were not made. Once 12 blocks were ready by 1933 in Connaught Place, then the ‘P’ block, where once used to be the very popular Madras Hotel, Scindia House, Janpath, where the Air India office used to be or Bhimji Jhaveri’s show- There is room And the Regal Building was built. Madan Thapliyal, former director of the New Delhi Municipality, says that once all parts of Connaught Place were ready, the New Delhi Traders Association was formed in 1935. It is an organization of Connaught Place shopkeepers and office runners.

When the P ‘block of Connaught Place is mentioned, it will surely be the talk of the hawker of newspapers who later opened the showroom Central News Agency (CNA) of the country’s most important newspapers-magazines and books. A few years ago in this block, there used to be a very favorite Madras Hotel of Delhiites. Delhi was probably the first to have a taste of South Indian cuisine here. Janpath Bazaar, Shankar Market, Manohan Singh Place, Connaught Place, after 1960 Palika Bazar became et cetera. Janpath Bazaar can be called the life of Connaught Place. He has nothing to do with Connaught Place by Robert Tor Russell. Sadly, there is not even a street here in the name of the craftsman who gave Delhi the magnificent buildings.

Connaught Place by Robert Tor Russell

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